Fluid pump construction



March 12, 1940. H. D. COLLINS FLUID PUMP CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 14,1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 5.3.x /HC R Slim/twp March 12, 1940. H. D. COLLINSFLUID PUMP CONSTRUCTION ,Filed Feb. 14, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 12,1940. H. D. COLLINS FLUID PUMP CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 14, 1958 4Sheets-Sheet 3 March 12, 1940. COLLINS 2,193,020

FLUID PUMP CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 14, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 PatentedMar. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES ,aaczt FLUID PUMP CGNSTRUCTION Hubert D.Collins, Tulsa, Okla.

Application February 14, 1938, Serial No. 190,483

6 Claims.-

This invention relates to improvements in pump construction, and moreparticularly to pumps for use in deep wells, such as oil wells.

Considerable difiiculty is often encountered in pumping water or oilfrom these deep wells due to what is commonly known as gas lock and alsofluid-pound." In the first instance, on the up stroke, the fluid ispumped into the pumping chamber together with a certain amount of gas,or, due to the reduction of pressure on the oil during the pumpingstroke, gas isliberated from the oil or water. This gas accumulates andthen on the up stroke it expands, so that on the down stroke of thevalve in the pump plunger or the traveling barrel, as the case maybe,this gaseous medium must again be compressed to the static pressure ofthe tubing column before this valve will open to permit the gas and oilto move above the said valve. In other words, the differential involumetric capacity of the barrel in its two positions is not sufiicientto compress the gas and liquid to a sufiiciently high pressure to openthe upper valve and permit its escape. Consequently, no more fluid canbe pumped from the well until the lock is broken. This is a commonoccurrence and source of trouble in oil field deep well pumping, and theabsence or partial absence of fluid in the pump barrel not infrequentlycauses premature failure of the pump plungers due to the lack oflubrication. of these plungers from the pumped fluid.

The other prevalent difliculty in the deep well pumping field is theaforementioned fluid-pound which is caused by the lack' of fluid in thewell or the partial accumulation of gas and fluid, preventing thepumpbarrel from completely filling on the up or suction stroke. When thebarrel is not completely filled on the up stroke, as the plunger movesback on the down stroke, it strikes the fluid in the partially filledpump cylinder before the plunger valve can open sufficiently, creating aheavy pound andmomentary resistance to the travel of the plunger, thusthrowing extremely heavy loads on the tubing and also on the sucker rodson the down strokes of the pump, which often cause the rods to buckleand break, and sometimes cause rupture of the tubing. This pound may bereduced by changing the speed and stroke of the plunger, but in mostinstances close adjustments are not possible, and, furthermore, anyreduction in the number of strokesper unit of time, or in the length ofthe stroke, results in loss of efiiciency.

- My invention eliminates completely both of these serious pumpingtroubles, permitting the of my invention to a fluid packedtravelingrbarcomplete discharge of any accumulated gas, and alsoallowing the pump cylinders to completely fill with the fluid to bepumped at the termination of each pumping stroke.

An object of my invention is the provision of 6 means incorporated indeep well pumps for permitting any accumulated gas within the pumpcylinder to escape at the end of the pumping stroke and simultaneouslyallows the pumping 1 cylinder to be completely filled with the fluidbeing pumped before the next stroke of the pump.

Another object is the provision of gas lock and fluid-pound preventinginstrumentalities which may be readily and easily incorporated inexisting pump and conventional pump designs without materially changingor altering the general structure other than providing the necessaryrelief apertures at the proper and desirable location in the pumpstructure.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will behereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by theappended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a pump having myinvention incorporated therein in the form of an exterior bypasspassage, the pump plunger being shown at the beginning of the pumpingstroke.

Figure 2 is a view imilar to Figure 1, the plunger being illustrated atthe completion of its up stroke, the arrows denoting the fluid or gasby-passing action.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a slightmodification in which a by-pass chamber is provided surrounding the pumpcylinders for establishing communication above and below the pumpplunger at the termination of i the pumping stroke.

Figures 4 and 5 are further modifications il- 40 lustrating itsapplication to the plunger insert type of pump. Figure 4 illustrates thebeginning of the pumping stroke, while Figure 5 shows the termination ofthe stroke when the by-passing action above and below the plunger takesplace.

Figures 6 and 7 show the beginning and completion of the pumping strokesrespectively of another modification or application of my invention tothe stufling box plunger insert type of m 50 Figures8 and 9 show theapplication of my invention to the inverted plunger or traveling outertube type of pump.

Figures 10 and 11 show a further adaptation rel type of pump. Figure 10denotes the commencement of the suction stroke, while Figure 11illustrates the termination of the stroke and the position where the gasrelief and fluid replenishment takes place.

Figures 12 and 13 are vertical sectional views of a further modificationof the insert type of pump.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the severalfigures of the drawmgs.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, i denotes a working barreltube secured to the anchor 2 and having the usual standing valve 3 andthe pump plunger or traveling valve 4 cperable therein and connected tothe pumping rig, not shown, by the conventional sucker rod 5. The upperportion of the working barrel tube I is apertured at 6 and I, theseapertures being in communication with each other by the fluid by passtube 8. The space between the apertures is somewhat greater than thelength of the pump plunger and traveling valve 4.

During the major portion of the pumping stroke, the plunger is belowboth of the apertures and, consequently, the fluid above the plunger islifted by the pump plunger as the fluid is sucked into the workingbarrel below the plunger through the standing valve 3, until the plungermoves" upwardly past the lower aperture, establishing communicationbetween the barrel above the plungerand the space between the plungerand the standing valve, as seen in Figure 2. Any accumulation of gas orair below the plunger is allowed to escape through the opening I andpass upwardly through the by-pass tube 8 to a point above the plunger,as indicated by the dotted arrows, when it is again introduced into thetubing through the opening 6, prior to which the fluid being pumpedreadily passes downwardly, as indicated by the full line arrows as shownin the drawings, with the result that the pump barrel is always filledwith fluid at the beginning of each down stroke of the plunger. Thus thepressure is equalized above and below the traveling valve 4 in the upstroke positions, permitting the valve to quickly open at the start ofthe down stroke, which aids in the escape of the gas that hasaccumulated in the upper portion of the barrel and allows the fluid topass freely through the traveling valve as it moves to the down strokeposition. Gas locks and fluid-pounds are, therefore, completelyeliminated at the commencement of each down stroke of the pump.

Figure 3 illustrates the use of a sleeve 9 disposed around the upper endof the working barrel tube having its ends inturned, as at ill, 10, toprovide an enclosing chamber registering at the top with the apertures6a, and at the bottom with. the apertures la. The rest of the structureis similar to Figures 1 and 2, and similar parts are, therefore, denotedby the same reference characters. The operation of this structure, asshown in Figure 3, is the same as in the previous figures, but the useof the closed chamber 9 permits the provision of a greater number ofapertures, and, consequently, a greater efficiency in the by-passingaction is obtained with the result that the pump stroke speed may beincreased without loss of pump efliciency. The tubular casing or chamber9 constitutes a reinforcing medium in the vicinity of the apertures 6aand la, and positively prevents any tendency of tubing failure at theseIll points.

Figures 4 and 5 discose the application of my invention to the plungerinsert type of pump. In these figures, the tubing is indicated at H andthe tubing anchor at 12.

In this form the pump is inserted as a unit in discharge apertures ll,while fluid by-pass apertures I8 are formed in the wall of the pump tubenear the upper end thereof. These apertures 18 are spaced from the upperend of the pump tube so that, when the plunger l9 carried by the suckerrod 20, moves upwardly to the end of the pump tube these operationsregister with the interior of the tube below the pump plunger I9. Whenthe pump plunger l9 moves up somewhat beyond the apertures I8 at the endof the pumping stroke, as seen in Figure 5, any gas accumulating in thepump barrel below the plunger escapes into the tubing II and is replacedby the pumped fluid.

Upon downward movement of the plunger, any fluid or gas below theplunger and above the bypass apertures I8, which has not escapednaturally through the apertures, is preliminarily forced out of the pumptube before the apertures are covered by the plunger. Further movementof the plunger I9 displaces the fluid in the pump tube through thetraveling valve 2| in the plunger in the normal manner.

Figures 6 and 7 disclose the embodiment of my invention in a plungerinsert type of pump having a stufiing box closure, the tubing beingindicated at 22 and the tubing anchor at 23, while 24 denotes the pumptube or barrel mounted on a standing valve 25. The pump barrel 24 isprovided with fluid by-pass apertures 26 designed to establishcommunication between the interior of the tubing 22 and the interior ofthe barrel above the plunger 21 during the pumping stroke, and toestablish communication with the interior of the pump barrel 24 belowthe plunger upon the upward movement of the plunger 21 at the completionof the pumping'stroke, as seen in Figure 7. The plunger 21 is connectedto the hollow pump rod which passes through the pump barrel packing 29,located in the head of the pump barrel 2E. The upper end of the pumptube 28 carries an upper traveling valve 30 which is secured to thesucker rod 3! Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the application of my inventionto a pump of the insert working barrel type in which the tubing isindicated at 32 having an anchor 33. The standing valve 34 is formedwith the upstanding plunger tube 35 to the upper end of which is fixedthe upper standing valve or stationary pump plunger 36. The workingbarrel or pump tube 37 surrounds the pump plunger 36 and carries thetraveling valve 38 in the upper end thereof, which, in turn, is securedto the sucker rod 39. The pump barrel 31, as in the previous forms, isprovided with fluid by-pass apertures to establishing communicationbetween the interior of the pump tube 31 below the plunger 36 and withthe interior of the well tubing 32 when the working barrel is at thelimit of its down stroke, and establishing communication between theinterior of the working barrel 3? above the plunger and the interior ofthe well tubing when the pump barrel completes its upper or suctionstrokes As disclosed in the previous embodiments of areaoao my inventionand the last described form, during the pumping stroke, the fluid in thepump tube 31 will be displaced by plunger 36 through the apertures 40until the apertures move upwardly beyond the plunger, as seen in Figure9, at which time any gas accumulations can escape naturally through theapertures 40, and the space below the plunger previously occupied by thegas accumulations will be replaced by the pumped fluid entering theapertures at this time. Upon downward movement of the pump tube, the

plunger closes the apertures from registration with the pump chamber andthe usual pumping stroke takes place.

In Figures 10 and 11, my invention is disclosed as applied to a fluidpacked pump of the insert type. 4| indicates the tubing, 42 the standingvalve having upstanding therefrom the stationary pump tube 43 providedwith the by-pass apertures 44 near the upper end thereof.

A pair of concentric traveling pump tubes or barrels 45 and 46 securedto the upper traveling valve 41 are arranged to be reciprocatedvertically by the sucker rod 48 and telescope the pump tube 43exteriorly and interiorly. The lower end of the interior tube 46 carriesa lower traveling valve 49.

Figure 11 illustrates the beginning of the suction stroke, and, as thebarrels 45 and '46 are moved upwardly, the vacuum in the expandingchamber 50 draws the well fluid through the standing valve 42 togetherwith any gas or other volatile matter which might be present in thefluid. The suction continues until the barrel uncovers the by-passapertures 44, as seen in Figure.

threaded or otherwise secured thereon a seating shoe 52 formed with atapered seat 53 onwhich my improved pump, designated generally 54, issupported.

The pump comprises a working barrel 55 provided with a standing valve 56at its lower end, and at its upper end it is secured to the supportingguide extension 56. The guide extension is formed with lower taperedsealing flange 5'! arranged to rest on the tapered seat 53 of the shoe52.

Perforaticns 58 are formed in the wall of the guide extension slightlyabove the sealing flange 51, while the upper end of the extension 56 isthreaded to receive the guide and pull bushing 59.

The sucker or pump rod 60 extends through the bushing 59, as clearlydisclosed in the drawings, and has secured to the lower end thereof thetraveling valve or pump plunger 6|.

When the pump plunger BI is drawn upwardly by the sucker rod 60, thefluid above the travellower portion of theworking barrel 55 below theplunger 6|. Any gas accumulations will immediately move upwardly throughthe fluid to a fluid in th tubing immediately above the pump andretarding settlement of sand, when the same is present in the pumpedfluid. The weight of the fluid in the tubing normally holds the pump onits seat 53. However, when it is desired to pull the pump, the suckerrod ismoved upwardly until the top of the traveling valve 6| engages thebottom of the bushing 59, whereupon further upward movement ofthe rod 60will unseat the pump and it may be thus removed from the well.

The pump is inserted in the same manner, being lowered by the sucker roduntil it engages the seat 53 on the end of the tubing, after which thepumping stroke is adjusted and the pumping operation may be commenced.

When gaseous fluids or low fluid content wells are being pumped, theyusually pump fluid normally for a short period of time before the gaslock or low fluid condition occurs, thus completely filling the welltubing to the surface and creating a high pressure in the tubing withthe result that, when gas begins to accumulate in the pump chamber,either from being drawn in with the fluid or evaporated or thrown offfrom the fluid due to the reduction in pressure, a gas lock occurs. Thehigh pressure fluid, when bypassed around the plunger at the extreme upstroke, is utilized to force the fluid through the by-pass to thespacein the pump chamber, and thus the high pressure of the static headof the column of fluid in the tubing is used to force the fluid throughthe -by-pass openings on the up stroke of the plunger and thus. createsthe proper working conditions within the pump chamber, thus eliminatingany gas lock and preventing fluid-pound. The by-pass will also create acon- 1 dition that will permit a greater vacuum to be pulled by thetraveling valve through the standing valve due to the complete fillingof the pump chamber with fluid. When a deep well pump becomes gaslocked, the gas accumulation within the pump chamber due to the statichead of the column expands on the up or suction stroke and is compressedagain on the down stroke, no fluid flowing through either. the standingor the traveling valves with the result that, in addition to theefliciency of the pump being at zero, the lack of fluid in the pumpchamber, the pump plunger packings and cups are quickly worn out due tothe lack of lubrication by the pumped fluid. In the instance of apartial accumulation of gas within the pump chamber, fluid-pound takesplace due to the plunger traveling. through the upper part of the pumpchamber occupied by the gas accumulating and then striking the fluid inthe partially filled pump chamber. At the in-' termediate portion of thepumping stroke, the plunger is traveling most rapidly, and, when itstrikes the liquid, the shock is transferred to the sucker rod and tothe barrel before the traveling valve completely opens. Thisshock isvery detrimental to the pump element, often causing breakage of thesucker rods and joints and rupm ture of the pump tubings. My inventioncompletely eliminates all of these difliculties.

While the specific details of construction have been herein shown anddescribed, the invention is not confined thereto, as alterations may bemade without departing-from the spirit thereof as defined by theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: r

1. In a pump of the class described, a pump tubing, a standing valvetherein having a working barrel upstanding therefrom, a pump plungerreciprocable within said barrel, said barrel having apertures formed inthe wall thereof intermediate the length ofthe stroke of the plunger tobe covered when said plunger is in one of its extreme positions ofreciprocation, and uncovered by said plunger before the same moves toits other extreme position of the reciprocation, whereby the plungervents the pump barrel to the interior of the pump tubing and upondownward movement of the plunger toward said apertures from thelast-mentioned position a preliminary discharge of fluid from the barrelthrough the apertures is effected preliminarily to the interruption ofthe flow through the apertures by the plunger.

2. In a fluid pump -of the class described, a well tubing, a standingvalve therein, a pump plunger projecting upwardly therefrom, a travelingbarrel surrounding said plunger and reciprocably mounted within saidwell tubing and formed with a by-pass aperture spaced from-the lower endof said barrel a distance greater than the length of said plunger head,whereby, upon extreme upward movement of saidbarrel, said aperture ismoved from a position below said plunger to a position above saidplunger, establishing communication between the interior of thetraveling barrel and the interior of the well tubing to vent theinterior of the traveling barrel of any gas accumulations.

3. In a fluid pump of the class described, a working barrel having astanding valve at one end, a supporting guide extension secured to theother end of said working barrel having a supporting seat and a fluidsealing flange at its lower and and rod guide means at its upper end,said guide extension being formed with outlet ports intermediate theseating and fluid sealing flange and said guide means, a pump plungerwithin said working barrel movable into said guide extension to a pointabove said outlet ports, and a sucker rod passing through said guidemeans and secured to said pump plunger.

4. In a deep well pump construction of the class described, a well tubina pump supporting shoe, secured thereto, a working barrel having astanding valve at its lower end, a supporting guide extension at itsupper end, a fluid sealing and supporting flange on the lower end 01*said guide extension arranged for fluid sealing and supportingcooperation with said supporting shoe, said extension being formed withapertures ex tending through the wall of said guide extensionintermediate the ends thereof and above said sealing flange, a pumpplunger movable in said working barrel upwardly into said guideextension to a point above theapertures, and a sucker rod extendingdownwardly through said guide extension and connected to said pumpplunger.

5. In a deep well pump construction of the class described, a welltubing having a pump seating shoe at its lower end, a pump seated onsaid shoe comprising an elongated barrel having a standing valve at itslower end, a supporting fluid sealing flange intermediate the ends ofsaid barrel, said barrel having apertures in its wall intermediate itsupper end and the fluid sealing flange, a pump plunger movable in saidbarrel to points above and below the apertures, and a sucker rodextending through the upper end of said barrel and connected to saidplunger.

6. An insert type fluid pump of the class described, comprisingcooperating pump barrel and plunger parts, one of said parts aforesaidcarrying a standing valve and having means for sealing the same within awell tubing, and said barrel having an aperture therein to be coveredand uncovered in the movement of one of said parts in relation to theother, said aperture being so located between the extreme ends of thebarrel that when the plunger is in one extreme position with relation tothe barrel, the aperture is uncovered to establish direct communicationthrough the aperture between the interior of the barrel and the interiorof the well tubing so that a preliminary discharge of fluid andaccumulated gas from the pump barrel into the well tubing will beeffected upon relative movement of the barrel and plunger partsaforesaid, and until the aperture is covered by the plunger andinterrupts such preliminary discharge.

HUBER/T D. COLLINS.

